Emancipation Day celebrations begin with Freedom's Eve concert

Special to the Tallahassee Democrat
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The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra and Leon County Division of Tourism/Visit Tallahassee will present the Freedom’s Eve Emancipation concert at 7 p.m. May 19 in Adderley Amphitheater in Cascades Park.

The concert will commemorate Florida’s unique history, and alludes to the historic gathering of African Americans in churches to await the date of President Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation. Tallahassee’s Freedom’s Eve event will take place on May 19, the day before the State’s official Emancipation Day on May 20.

The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra rehearses in Ruby Diamond Auditorium on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.
The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra rehearses in Ruby Diamond Auditorium on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

The Freedom’s Eve concert will feature the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra led by Maestro Kellen Gray, the Journey Vocal Ensemble led by Dr. Mark Butler, Avis Berry and Alexander Williams on vocals, the Tallahassee Symphony Jazz Orchestra led by Leon Anderson, and Tallahassee Nights Live. Musical selections will include “Glory,” “Fanfare for the Common Man,” and “Change is Gonna Come.”

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The Freedom’s Eve Emancipation Concert is planned in conjunction with the John G. Riley Museum, the City of Tallahassee, the Soul of Southside Festival, and the Florida Department of State.

The TSO received a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support the project. Bank of America and the David and Jane Watson Fund for the Arts are also sponsors.

"The Emancipation Celebration is getting to be what should have been for years, sharing a significant day in Tallahassee that had impact across the entire State, and a humanitarian act that in ways helped to lift society from a dark place. Thanks to the TSO for helping in these efforts," said Althemese Barnes.

“The TSO is honored to be a part of the longstanding commemoration of Florida’s unique Emancipation Day by hosting this very special event. We hope to make it an annual part of the tradition of celebrating and memorializing this important part of our shared history,” said Amanda Stringer, CEO of the Tallahassee Symphony.

“Leon County and the Division of Tourism/Visit Tallahassee are proud to support such a special event recognizing this important time in our state’s history. It is important to remember and reflect on our history and events like these leave a positive and lasting impact for visitors and residents alike.” said Kerri L. Post, Director of the Leon County Division of Tourism/Visit Tallahassee.

Members of the United States Colored Troops Reenactment Unit perform a military salute during an Emancipation Day Commemoration hosted by the John G. Riley Museum at the Old City Cemetery on Thursday, May 20, 2021.
Members of the United States Colored Troops Reenactment Unit perform a military salute during an Emancipation Day Commemoration hosted by the John G. Riley Museum at the Old City Cemetery on Thursday, May 20, 2021.

EMANCIPATION DAY EVENTS

The City of Tallahassee recognizes May 20 as Florida's Emancipation Day, and throughout the month, there are many ways for residents to commemorate this pivotal moment and learn. The 20th of May - Emancipation in Florida programs, presented by the Knott House Museum and the City's John G. Riley Center/Museum, includes a variety of free events:

Thursday, May 18

  • 2:30 p.m. - Watching for Freedom 2023: 20th of May Culture Keeper Honorees at Parkview at Cascades, 414 E. Bloxham Street. This event will recognize 12 individuals whose leadership and advocacy has sustained, preserved and validated Florida's emancipation history and culture in North Florida.

Friday, May 19

  • 7-11 p.m. - Freedom's Eve Emancipation Concert at The Adderley Amphitheater in Cascades Park, 1001 S. Gadsden Street. This impressive three-part performance will feature music by the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, the Tallahassee Symphony Jazz Orchestra and Tallahassee Nights Live.

Hundreds of Tallahassee locals gather at the Knott House Museum on May 20 to celebrate the emancipation declared in 1865. Locals enjoyed a reading from Dr. Larry Rivers for the keynote speech. Other festivities such as catered food and free admission to local museums was accompanied by the reading and reenactment of the emancipation proclamation.
Hundreds of Tallahassee locals gather at the Knott House Museum on May 20 to celebrate the emancipation declared in 1865. Locals enjoyed a reading from Dr. Larry Rivers for the keynote speech. Other festivities such as catered food and free admission to local museums was accompanied by the reading and reenactment of the emancipation proclamation.

Saturday, May 20

  • 9 a.m. - Church bells in Tallahassee will ring for two minutes to celebrate Florida's Emancipation Day.

  • 10 a.m. - John G. Riley Center/Museum Civil War Commemorative Service at Old City Cemetery, 400 W. Park Ave. Local schoolkids and the public will decorate the graves of Black Civil War soldiers.

  • 11:30 a.m. - Dramatic reading of the Emancipation Proclamation on the steps of the Knott House Museum, 301 E. Park Avenue. In the place where the Emancipation Proclamation was first read in Florida, this year's program features John Anderson as Frederick Douglass and the Mina String Quartet from the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. Free lunch and family-friendly activities will follow across the street in Lewis Park.

  • On May 20, 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation was first read on the steps of the Knott House by General Edward McCook. That was when the enslaved in Florida learned they were free - two years after the document was issued by President Abraham Lincoln.

Students from Bethel Christian Academy and Kingdom of Life Preparatory Academy lay red carnations by gravestones in the Old City Cemetery during an Emancipation Day Commemoration hosted by the John G. Riley Museum Thursday, May 20, 2021.
Students from Bethel Christian Academy and Kingdom of Life Preparatory Academy lay red carnations by gravestones in the Old City Cemetery during an Emancipation Day Commemoration hosted by the John G. Riley Museum Thursday, May 20, 2021.

The Tallahassee City Commission approved May 20 as a paid holiday for City employees in November 2020. Since this year's holiday falls on a Saturday, it will be observed by the City on Friday, May 19. Visit Talgov.com for information about City service schedule impacts due to the holiday.

For more information, visit 20thofMay.com or call the City's John G. Riley Center/Museum at 850-891-3560.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee Symphony's concert launches Emancipation Day events